A patient who is being treated for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complains of chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the following should the nurse do first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Chest pain and shortness of breath are signs of a possible pulmonary embolism (a serious complication of DVT). Elevating the head of the bed and administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation and decrease the workload on the heart while additional assessments and interventions are performed. While measuring blood pressure and assessing the extremity and pulses are important, they should not take priority over addressing the potential life-threatening complication of a pulmonary embolism.

A Patient Who Is Being Treated for a Deep Vein